VMRC advisory committee endorses 2026 oyster replenishment plan, shifts some seed money to shell planting

The Marine Resources Commission's Shellfish Management Advisory Committee on Jan. 29 endorsed the 2026 oyster replenishment plan, approving staff's priorities for where to plant shell and seed and asking that some seed-moving funds be redirected to targeted shell plantings.

Andrew, a VMRC shellfish staff presenter, said the agency is working from a draft plan that will be presented to the Commission after committee input. He told members the program's current funding is roughly $4 million, with about $2.5 million earmarked for replenishment and $1.5 million for restoration beginning July 1. "So that $4,000,000 has been pretty consistent," Andrew said, adding that carryover funds give the program a cushion this year.

The committee discussed where to place seed and shell, weighing the higher per-bushel cost of moving seed against cheaper shell plantings. Andrew gave rough cost ranges: about $7—$8 per bushel to move seed by dredge, $12—$15 per bushel for hand-tong seed, and $2.50—$5.50 per bushel typically for shell planting. He said the Commission previously supported a hard cap of $15 per bushel for seed-moving costs.

Members directed staff to prioritize house-shell plantings in smaller, high-return areas and to explore expanding shell plantings at Smoky Point, Mill Creek and Fleetin. The committee specifically identified Pocomoke Area 10 as the primary request for seed planting if seed is used, while favoring shell in York hand-tong areas and small patches in Mobjack/York where house shell is locally available.

The committee discussed several successful plantings from 2025. Andrew said a roughly 50-acre planting off Gale Island used close to 80,000—100,000 bushels and produced exceptionally high spat sets, making that reef a potential seed source for this year. He also said staff received notices from two shucking houses offering about 40,000 bushels of house shell this season (roughly 20,000 bushels for locally-located Rappahannock work and 20,000 for Mobjack/York areas).

After discussion, Speaker 11 moved that the committee endorse the proposed replenishment plan "with the addition that have been suggested from certain committee members." Speaker 6 seconded the motion. Staff later summarized the committee's direction as: limited seed in Big Bar and Honest Point; move remaining seed funding into shell plantings for Muddy Marsh and Dogfish; and accept staff's targeted area recommendations for Rappahannock and Mobjack/York. The motion carried by voice/consensus in the meeting record.

The endorsement directs staff to include committee suggestions when VMRC brings the plan to the full Commission. Andrew told the group that, where possible, staff will spot-check sites that lack comprehensive PATENTON survey data before committing seed, and that shell planting with the agency's dredge cannot start until June 1.

The committee also asked for continued attention to cost-effectiveness and for staff to preserve funds if they are not immediately needed: "If we don't spend it all, it rolls over," Andrew said, noting unspent funding typically remains available for future seasons.

The committee will forward its recommendations to the full Commission for consideration at the next Commission meeting.